The Obligatory BlogHer Packing Post

Things have been mental this last week because apparently we’ve become one of the most popular houses on the market in the last few days with FOUR showings. Normally this would get me all excited but seriously people I’ve got more important things to think about – like pedicures and hair appointments and how to detach Little Miss’ arms from around my neck at all times. Oh yeah and a BIG FREAKING FAMILY VACATION!!!!

I can’t remember how much I’ve told you guys about this trip (and I’m way too lazy and tired to go back and try and figure it out) but it is EPIC! On Wednesday night we drive to Seattle and Thursday morning we fly to London, via New York. We are staying with Husbando’s sister the first night in the UK and then surprising his dad for his 70th birthday on the Saturday evening at a huge party with all his friends. (Please keep your fingers crossed that FIL does not drop dead of a heart attack at the shock of it all cuz that would be just too icky for words!) After another two days with his folks, we are taking the train to Bruges in Belgium to meet up with some friends who have a daughter three weeks younger than Little Miss. We’ve rented an appartment in Bruges and will have four lovely days exploring and drinking delicious beer. Then we’ve got three days in London (with a group picnic in Queen’s Park and a Sunday pub lunch in Greenwich) then we’re back to the in-laws for three more days (cue a visit to Bath and a day of county cricket) before Little Miss and I hit the road for New York City and the exciting and intimidating BlogHer conference!

Normally, if I was just going to blogher, I’m sure I’d just pack a big ass suitcase with a load of options but as we’re staying in 6 different places (in 2.5 weeks! Eeek!) and literally travelling by planes, trains and automobiles I need to pack crazy light. We’re taking one large bag on wheels and a garment bag FOR THE THREE OF US! (plus 3 carry-ons, a stroller, a purse and a camera bag – what was I saying about light?)

So I decided to get serious about my packing and I’m kinda surprised at how well I can pack when I’m being realistic.

The reality is that a lot of my clothes are either a bit too big or a bit too small so I decided that I wouldn’t pack anything that didn’t fit well or wasn’t comfortable (that cut my options down a LOT!)

We have to have clothes for hours of travelling, exploring, pub lunches, shopping trips, touristy-ness, one birthday party, three nights of parties in NYC (me), a wedding (Husbando) and two picnics.

Let’s take a look at what we ended up with…

3 skirts – an A line khaki one, an amazing Rohan travel skirt and a fuller, dressier navy blue one with appliquéd flowers (although I’m contemplating ditching this one so we’ll see!)

2 cardigans – I live in these! 1 navy, 1 grey/silver

2 tank tops – white & navy

1 purple dressier top – goes with both skirts perfectly

1 stunning emerald green Calvin Klein dress for parties. Its got almost a 50′s cut to it and is fun & glam.

1 nude/black lace dress for more parties – sophisticated and very flattering.

1 black hoody

1 denim jacket

Running clothes

4 tutus! For running 5k through central park in rush hour. I made them myself & promise to get pics of us in them!

Running shoes, silver heels, green sparkly platform heels (to be worn at Sparklecorn!), another pair of lower sparkly shoes, gold sandals & my birkenstocks (for living in)

I’m planning on adding this dress to the repertoire for travelling and Thursday night @BlogHer:

And possibly this sequin jacket as well (it wouldn’t let me save a pic of it!)

I also put my accessories into outfits and then put them in ziplock bags so they were ready & organized.

For Little Miss I put together eight outfits with mix and match elements that should get us through all the activities regardless of whether or not we can do laundry that often! I picked two colour themes (red, white & blue and green & white) and coordinated that way. It just means that we have enough clothes for her but not an insane amount.

I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this trip – its the first proper vacation Husbando and I have had in three years and our first vacation as a family EV.AH! Plus it ends in NYC where I hopefully will get to meet some of you wonderful people!

So there you go! What are you packing for BlogHer (or any summer trips?) and if any of you have tips on what to carry on the plane or how to entertain a baby for 16 hours straight I’d love to hear them!

xoxo